WORSHIP GOD

‘God is Spirit; they who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24)’

i remember years ago when occasionally teaching on certain subjects i would add, ‘i pray you bow your knee before the Lord before that great day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess; because if you wait that long; it could be a little late.’

To ‘the faithful in Christ Jesus… to all sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place (pray, praise, worship and) call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord (Eph. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2):’

“…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us will all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ: for God has chosen us in Christ… that we should be holy… before Him in love… and that we should be to the praise of His glory. …And through Christ we have access by one Spirit unto the Father (as in John 14:12-26). Now therefore you are no more strangers… but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone (good name of a song: Cornerstone by Day of Fire; Cornerstone by Hillsong Live) in whom all the building fitly framed together (as in Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 10:25) grow unto a holy temple (1 Cor. 6:19) in the Lord. In Christ you are built together… through the Spirit… In Christ Jesus our Lord… we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him… I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… that He would… strengthen your inner being… by His Spirit, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God… be followers of God (Eph. 1:3-6; 2:18-22; 3:12-19; 4:7-12; 5:1).” ‘Be you followers of me… as I follow Christ (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1).’

“Now rejoice in the Lord… for we… are they which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. …Brothers, be followers together of me and observe them which (do justly) and walk (worthy of the Lord – Phil. 3:1,3,17; Micah 6:8; Col. 1:10)… I obtained mercy, that in me Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should believe on Him to everlasting life… I exhort you …and desire that souls everywhere would pray, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting… these things command and teach (1 Tim. 1:16; 2:1,8; 4:6,11).”

“Now we beseech you, brethren… comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak (even Rev. 3:2), be patient with all. …Rejoice and pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit… Test all things and hold fast to what is good (1 Thes. 5: 14-).” “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward His name (and even your works and prayers for your family and friends and strangers)… Be not slothful, but follow them who through faith and patience inherit the promises… for after you have done the will of God (Gal. 6:2, Deut. 10:12, etc.), you shall receive the promise (of eternal life). For in a little while Christ will come… but for now the just shall live by faith (Heb. 6:10,12; 10:36-38; Rom. 1:17; Hab. 2:4).” ‘Grace be with you all. AMEN.’

Section II: EXAMPLES OF WORSHIPERS

Focus on prayer and worship; praise included; most often thanksgiving is included in all 3 forms of addressing Almighty God and Christ Jesus our Lord: that is “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” – Rev. 5:13

Before offering the following examples in Scripture, notice the direction of worship in prayer (same in worship songs) and the position or direction of the moral being. The worshiper often bows, prostrates, falls; while their worship – along with ‘their sweet incense (Rev. 5:8; 8:4)’ – rises to the Heavens; often along with the hands and voices. Some praise music goes horizontal intentionally and encourages others, ‘come let us…;’ but worship in song and prayer, almost exclusively goes vertical. It may be heard by and encourage others to action, but it is directed towards Heaven.

1. Melchizedek and Abram – Abraham – Genesis 14:18-22

“Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of GodMost High,Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High,Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’

And he gave him a tithe of all. Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.’ But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, (and took an oath…)'”

3. Job (1:1, 13-22; 2:7-10; 13:15-16) ‘(who)… was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil; (and lost) …his sons and daughters and livestock (etc.)… and in all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong… and Satan struck Job with painful boils… and his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!:’

“Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb,And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;Blessed be the name of the Lord.‘

(and he answered his wife) ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (and he said in another place) ‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him… He is my salvation’.”

4. The Lord and Moses (Exodus 34:4-10):

“The Lord God… cut two tablets of stone like the first ones. Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him; and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone. Now the Lord descended in the cloud and …and proclaimed the name of the Lord… ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.’ So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. Then he said, ‘If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.’ And the Lord said: ‘Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth…’.”

5. Joshua (5:13-15):

“…It came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, ‘Are You for us or for our adversaries?‘ So He said, ‘No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so’.”

6. David (Psalm 119:33-38, 57-73, 89-100, 105-108, 146-149, 162-164):

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end.Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.Make me walk in the way of Your commandments, I delight in it.Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness.Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things; revive me in Your way.Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You…

You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words. I prayed for Your favor with my whole heart;Be merciful to me according to Your word. I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. …The cords of the wicked have bound me, but I have not forgotten Your law.At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,Because of Your righteous judgments. I am a companion of all who fear You,And of those who keep Your precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;Teach me Your statutes…

Teach me good judgment and knowledge; I believe Your commandments. You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes… Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments…

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations;You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances,For all are Your servants.Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.I am Yours, save me…

Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. I have more understanding than all my teachers,For Your testimonies are my meditation.I understand (see Job 28:28) more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts… Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.I am afflicted very much;Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your judgments…

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. I cry out to You;Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.I rise before the dawning of the morning,And cry for help;I hope in Your word.My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;O Lord, revive me according to Your justice. I love Your law.Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments… Lord, I long for Your salvation…”

Psalms 134: ‘Bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord… lift up your hands…’ Psa. 143: ‘I meditate on all Your works…I spread out my hands to You;My soul longs for You like a thirsty land…’

7. People of Israel (1 Chronicles 29 – ‘David blesses the Lord before all the assembly…’ and the people respond – vs. 20):

‘So all the assembly blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the Lord…’

8. Solomon and the People (1 Kings 8):

“Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes… in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David, which is Zion… Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim…

…Solomon said to the whole assembly of Israel… ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David…’ Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; and he said: “Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts... forgive Your people who have sinned against You, and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You; and grant them compassion…‘

…And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. Then he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers…’ Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the Lord…“

1 Sam. 4:5: ‘When the ark of the LORD’s covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook…’

2 Chronicles 7:1-3): “When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever…’.”

(lol – that’ll do it)

9. Elijah (I Kings 18:36-39):

“And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.”

“Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, ‘The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!’ ” (again ditto and amen)

10. Daniel (2:1-23):

“In the second year of the king’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell him his dreams. They said, ‘Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.’ …The king answered, ‘if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! The Chaldeans answered, ‘There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; and no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.’

‘…Yet, the secret was revealed to Daniel and exclaimed: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His (note Isa. 11:2). And He changes the times and the seasons;He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things;He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank You and praise You,O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king’s demand.’

And Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, ‘The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets… (and Daniel reveals his dreams and its meaning).

LATER (chapter 3): ‘Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits (cubit about 18″; royal cubit about 21″ – thus about 100′ tall) and its width six cubits. He set it up…’ So the king’s wicked advisers plotted and moved the king to decree, ‘…you shall fall down and worship the gold image (as will be in the not so far off future – Rev. 13:15 – ‘second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.‘) Now Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego (not their Jewish names) and Daniel refused to bow (will you upon the threat of death – of worst to you or family members – but before you answer read – Matt. 10:28-33 & Rev. 6:9; 12:17; 18:24; 20:4). The king threatens the 3 with death and they say, ‘our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image…’ Yet ‘in the fire’ the faithful found with them a fourth Man like ‘the Son of God.’

In another place Daniel shows his method of prayer in the face of adversity and even the Lion’s Den (6:10): “He went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days…”

And again (Dan. 9):

“I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets (many more words)…

…O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us. Therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant… for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God… see our desolation, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

As he was praying the Lord sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel a vision… Gabriel arrived ‘at the time of the evening offering.’

11. King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:46-48):

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. The king answered Daniel, and said, ‘Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings (exactly: Deut. 10:17), and a revealer of secrets…’ Then the king promoted Daniel …and he made him ruler over the province of Babylon, and chief administrator over the wise men of Babylon.’

(Again chap. 3, after the witness of the 3)

Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!”

12. King Darius (Dan. 6):

King Darius wrote: “To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men musttremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever;His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure forever. He delivers and rescues; He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

12. Nehemiah (Neh. chapters 8 and 9)

Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear… and all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law… so day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly… Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one–fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.

13. The Priests (the Levites; Neh. 9):

“Stand up and bless the Lord your God forever and ever!

“Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. You are the Lord God, Who chose Abram, and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, and gave him the name Abraham;You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites… to give it to his descendants.You have performed Your words, for You are righteous.You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt… (and with many words they declared the acts of the Lord for Israel).”

14. The People (Neh. 10; the people respond): and ‘entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord…’ and they brought ‘offerings’

15. The Shepherds and the heavenly host; Luke 2:10-20:

The angels declared to the ‘shepherds:’ “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord… You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” And ‘the shepherds said, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds…”

16. Wise men (Matthew 2):

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh…” (see Heb. 10:5-6; 13:15)

17. Peter, James and John (Matt. 17:5):

“…a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’ And when the disciples heard it,they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”

The disciples knew what the Lord said to Moses, ‘no one (man/mortal) may see Me (My face) and live.’ Thus, they did right and feared God whose voice they heard, until Jesus said it is safe, arise.

18. Great Multitudes as Christ entered Jerusalem (Matt. 21:9)

“Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! BlessedisHe who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!’”

19. JESUS (John 17):

“Jesus… lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father… I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are…”

Jesus in the Garden at Gethsemane (Matt. 26:39; Luke 22:42-46):

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed…” “He knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

“When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, ‘Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.’”

20. The Church with Peter and John (Acts 3:24-31):

“So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘…And the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

21. Stephen (Acts 7:54-60):

After Stephen addressed the Jewish counsel of elders and scribes and priests and reminded them of their history and how they resist God, “When they heard they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’

‘Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul (Paul). And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

22. James 5:13-14: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord…” As Paul: “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding (1 Cor. 14:15).’

23. Peter (Acts 9:40): “But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.”

24. Faithful elders (Acts 13:1-): “Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them…”

25. Paul and Silas (after being cast into prison for preaching; Acts 16:25-):

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken…”

26. Four Living Creatures (Rev. 4:6-8)

“And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy (some translations 9 times) Lord God Almighty,Who was and is and is to come!”

27. Twenty-four Elders (Rev. 4:9-11):

“Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power;For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

28. Millions of Angels and 25 elders and scene in heaven (Rev. 5:8-14):

“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals;For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your bloodOut of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”

‘Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom,And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne,And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever.”

Section III: EXAMPLES OF MODERN WORSHIP SONGS (bottom below)

i am old enough to remember 3 generations of worship music – to have seen the unstoppable though often resisted transition from traditional church hymns to modern worship music. i would see my kids as we visited churches, and we would open the hymnal a say ‘let us sing unto the Lord a new song’ (btw – all of us true worshipers like our Lord and King love a new song); ‘here’s one we would say – (from say the ‘Baptist Hymnal’ c.1956) ‘Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling’ set to Mozart (1780’s) and remixed a century later; or the famous ‘How Great Thy Art’ – which before you think i am being cold – we played at my mother’s funeral because it was one of her favorites.

So i remember Amy Grant talking about how fortunate she was when before 1980 while still in her teens when someone who knew her roughly said, ‘we have some producers seeing the time is right and need 10 artists – i know you can sing want to be on a new contemporary Christian album?’ So about that time a was coming back to the Lord times were about to seriously change in the worship world business. Now, when He saved me it was not some gentle quiet hand raise – the Lord knew me – you want a competitor, a warrior, a debater, a stubborn compassionate sinner in love with the world to turn and be a standard-bearer compassionate soul in love with the Creator of the world, then slay him good – make it undeniable, then have that soul cry out and answer filling him with the Spirit of the Lord and open his eyes to the word – all of which the Lord did (and through i would occasionally fall – i would never forget).

So i moved to Baton Rouge in 1986 (still playing music on a turn table) and not many years later in the fullness of time came major shifts for modern worship music:

1. According to the Recording Industry Association of America – in 1986 over 50% of America were putting aside their bulky 8-Tracks and buying music in the form of Cassette’s (i still miss Mylon and Broken Heart’s ‘Brand New Start’), and most of the others were buying LPs and Vinyl singles. By the mid-1990s there was no turning back, CDs were it; and by 2000 CDs they dominated over 95% of the market until about 2005 when Download’s were serious competition and now are approaching 95% of the market. Nevertheless, CDs and easier mixing played a pivotal role.

2. The Cell Group or Home Group movement which took hold in the late 1990’s in many fashions, some even trying to structure G-12s and others increasing their church membership in this method. i not only remember the movement, live in it and served it (no regrets at all). More over, i would rock my daughter to sleep to Michelle Tumes and take my son crawling in the upper prayer/worship room at Church listening to the best new mixes.

3. The new millennium – 2000 coming, Pretrib preaching and some hording up supplies for the coming internet crash. Anyway there was an expectancy among many.

4. Churches have guest circuit musicians – most of the big names along with the unheard ones toured as they were welcomed to praise and worship events – from Phil Driscoll to Michael Smith.

5. Worship teams and worship tracks and books by artist like Boschman and Henry.

6. Events like Promise Keepers; then Church ministries such as our Men’s Ministry – we would often pray and pre-record 74 or 80 min. CD’s of mixed worship and occasionally did outdoor meetings (which i miss) with 2 to 3 hours of pre-recorded praise, worship and maybe healing or altar focused picks.

7. The Vineyard Music movement with ten’s of CDs (1996 ‘Light the Fire Again’ to 2003 ‘Hungry,’ etc). The Winds of Worships series (7 Brownsville revival or 12 from London w/ ‘Holy is the Lord’ – still one of the best ever worship songs); and others like Morningstar’s Warfare (1996), Worship, etc.; and Passion Music movement (beginning 1997), etc. to Onething Conferences, etc…

So these factors and others influenced the modern worship movement. Now if i had say a person that transitioned this modern worship era – so much that even traditional denominations could no longer resist ‘contemporary’ – sing a new song worship – it would be some where around Darlene Zschech (worship pastor Hillsong Church 1996-2007 – she also started a bit of a fashion trend for some female worshipers). Starting a movement with ‘Shout to the Lord (1993)’ and going strong into ‘Wonderful God’ (on God He Reigns; 2005). By this time the reigns were handed to up and coming new powerful voices, unashamed of the gospel and wanting to stand in front of hundreds or even thousands with meaningful and deep songs, often even with extemporaneous praise and worship.

Not in any particular order here are some ‘modern’ worship songs that might bless you and help you worship vertically (modern – since 2000, except for maybe a few):

OK so i put this list together in a few hours to about 2am so if you don’t see your favorite song remember these are examples – not the end all. It is not about language or time; or even age ( i can worship with this kids – The Yeshiva Boys Choir – ‘Adir’ youtube); it is about the heart, the direction of worship and the word&spirit.

English Translation: Melej Maljei Hamelajim (King of Kings) Forgive me Father for I have sinned to you; Forgive me for all my trespasses including the days that I forgot you. You were always In my life; all the paths that I went through. You were a light to my feet; I was blind, I couldn’t see beyond what my eyes saw. King of kings, thank you for life for happiness, for crying, for laughing even when it is hard at time, also, G-D You are never far behind. Also when I walk and my path is dark I trust you my G-D for a wife, for firstborn boy and for a girl. Thank you also for the abundance of happiness. Thank you for the holidays and for Shabbat that I keep; that should never end. Every day that passes on my way to paradise I have set you in front of my eyes King of kings.